Volume 2 Chapter 47 (1/2)
Here is a new chapter. Enjoy.
”Hmmm…We gathered more troops than expected huh?” (Almis)
I'm looking at the troops that responded to our recruitment.
We're in the middle of examinations. We gathered 700 people for just 530 slots.
I'm honestly surprised.
I thought they'd be put off by war since they've been subjected to it for how many years by King Ferrum.
It appears that thought is wrong.
There seems to be certain patterns prevalent here.
First, those men subjected to long conscriptions and made to become completely accustomed to army life. Then their lord, King Ferrum dies. They are told to come back to their homes only to find out their fields have already been seized by someone else. As they rush to figure out what to do, this recruitment announcement falls into their laps.
Second, those who think ”I really can't stand farming! If they'll pay me then I'll just go join the army!!”
Third, ”I'll become successful and be distinguished!”
I honestly thought of slas.h.i.+ng the number of slots so this was unexpected, but if you think about it clearly then it might have become like this.
In the Adernia Peninsula, war is a familiar existence not unlike a storm.
It seems the compet.i.tion is also fierce in the exams.
People who originally came from the army wanted this.
They seem to be familiar with things like military formations so the successful should end up being selected purely by physical strength and age.
My planned composition for the Ars Army is a mixture of 500 hoplites, 200 bowmen, and 100 cavalry.
I've already secured the required cavalry, so the remaining would be the hoplites and the bowmen.
Having said that, I should leave the examinations to Bolus, Ron, and Gram.
”Hey, Leader. Do we have room to hire 800 soldiers? I heard King Ferrum had heavily taxed up until recently. Furthermore, we would not draft but hire, yes? Would our finances be fine?” (Ron)
”I'm hesitating to say we have leeway, but it's not like we're in distress tax-wise.” (Almis)
”Why?” (Ron)
Well, it's bothering you, huh.
Then Tetra, please explain.
”Understood. Ron, do you know the reason why King Ferrum had a hard time??” (Tetra)
”Uhm, is it because the Ars Territory was poor? But that doesn't change with the leader, right? ….I don't understand.” (Ron)
”First, subsidiary aid. There are lords in the Rosyth Kingdom that does not border any foreign country. They don't need to maintain soldiers. In exchange, they have a duty to pay the Rosyth Kingdom a certain amount of wheat. That wheat would be fairly divided to the clans with external borders. That's why they are not as distressed as King Ferrum.” (Tetra) (TL Note: King Ferrum lost this privilege when he broke away, but Almis and co regained this as a restored border territory.)
”I see…But I still think 800 people be too much.” (Ron)
Tetra then shows Ron some paper.
We've already adopted a system of ma.s.s producing paper. It's a system where not only widows, but also specialists and farmers who want extra income partic.i.p.ate.
”The second is this. Paper accounts for 60% of the Ars Territory's income. We sell them to Cretian merchants. We have them pay us with Cretian metalwork, Persis gla.s.sware, or oriental spices in corresponding value. We then sell these goods to Adernian merchants and the kingdom's various clans who we have pay in wheat or salt. With this system, our territory can pay for 800 men's wages.” (Tetra)
”I see.” (Ron)
Somehow, Ron has come to understand.
By the way, we certainly also have various clansmen of the De Morgal Kingdom as our clients. Although we couldn't identify them as such because they don't come in person.
Well, even if they're an enemy, they're a customer so long as they pay. Those high-cla.s.s goods won't become military power anyway so its fine to sell as many of them as possible. It's something like s.n.a.t.c.h away and exhaust the other party's wheat by selling.
If I may also add one reason, unlike King Ferrum, we managed to get rid of embezzlement by the village chiefs. Although it's a little insignificant.
Well then, let's go to Roswald now that Ron seems to have understood. It's the real issue at hand for today.
”Roswald” (Almis)
”Yes, what is it?” (Roswald)
”Actually, the 100 horses and 50 battle slaves we ordered from Ains are scheduled to come today.” (Almis)
As expected, even Ains had difficulty suddenly procuring that many horses. Although I'm surprised that he still managed to prepare them in such a short time.
”And?” (Roswald)
”I want to entrust to you the command of the cavalry. In other words, I want you to be in charge of the 50 battle slaves.” (Almis)
”Why me? I think Bolus-san has more experience than me, right?” (Roswald)
I answer his question.
”First, Bolus has no experience commanding cavalry so the two of you are equal in that regard. Second, you are the most skillful horse rider, as far as I know. Furthermore, you and Lia close, am I right?”
Roswald blushes as I say so.
”That's why I think you'd be well-received by the Germanis slaves. Since it's become this way, it will be wonderful if the you and Lia got married too! Being able to speak a little Germanis is also a big point.” (Almis)
I've returned the Divine Protection of Language after all. I'll have to rely on Lia and Roswald for communicating with them.
”I understand. I'll do my best!” (TL Note: Go get Lia, tiger!)
Roswald greatly nods in agreement.
A few hours after, Ains brought over the slaves and horses.
”Please confirm the goods. These are the 100 horses.” (Ains)
”Thank you very much. Can I ask one question? How did you manage this in such a short time?” (Almis)
”I had 30 horse at inventory from the very beginning. Furthermore, other Cretian merchants had recently brought in some horses. I managed to get about 50 from them. I obtained the remaining 20 little by little buying from the small nomadic tribes within the Adernia Peninsula.”
Oh, really?….That's unexpected.
Nevertheless…I see. It's natural that there would be people relying on nomadism as their livelihood, huh.
I need to make contact with them as soon as possible so we can try procuring some from them. If I got all my horses from Ains then my expenses would pile up.
”Then, these are the battle slaves. As much as possible, I chose the slaves with good quality.” (Ains)
Ains tone has completely turned into sell-mode. Actually, it's probably that kind of sensation.
I look at the slaves before me.
The first thing that catches the eye is their height. They're quite taller than the average Adernian.”
Although a lot of them are black or brown haired, there are some who are blond-haired and blue-eyed.
I face the slaves and say:
”I am Almis. I am your master. Best Regards.” (Almis)
Lia translates it into Germanis.
A slave faces me and says something.
”For the meantime, we're hungry so please give us something to eat….is what he said.” Lia looks up at me and translates with anxiety. She's probably wondering whether it's fine to translate what he just said.